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University vs. work right after high school graduation

Finishing high school is a milestone in everyone's life. But life moves on. Getting into a good university is not on top of everyone's list as the idea of making money from student jobs is tempting.

Making money through jobs gives independence to students but students shouldn't forget about post-secondary education. Most of these students would benefit tremendously from pursuing post-secondary education. Education isn't just about taking courses and gaining textbook knowledge. It is about all-round development and university is the best place to learn this. University life makes one mature and more capable of dealing with the "world out there" because university itself is a miniature version of the ?world out there'. University is where you start looking for accommodation, paying tuition fees, and learning to cook. In addition, university life teaches technical skills, time-management skills, people skills, team skills and communication skills. Most of the skills employers look for in a candidate are learnt at a university by getting through daily activities.

Getting a job right after high school may give the student an opportunity to put his or her skills directly to work and s/he may move up the corporate ladder by gaining experience over the years. However, getting a degree or diploma in one's field of interest not only improves his/her chances of getting a high-paying job but also in the event of layoffs, the student has the degree to fall back on. The degree also helps the student move up the corporate ladder quickly. This is why all the executives take ongoing courses to improve or gain new skills.

Thus, even though working after finishing high school may provide students with independence and give them experience, the pros of pursuing post-secondary education certainly outweigh those of working a full time job after finishing high school.